Institute Lesson 3 Nephi 17-19
Overview of Savior’s visit
8-10 Destruction
11 Christ appears
12-14 Sermon at the temple
15-16 His discourse on the House of Israel, Jews, how gospel will progress, overwhelming as far as people staying focused, quotes a short section of Isaiah – Show picture of hen intimately protecting chicks 3 Nephi 10:5-6
3 Nephi 17
Vaughn J. Featherstone: "Let me tell you the greatest experience I believe I have had in all my readings of the scriptures-and I am sharing something that is very tender with me. I remember the night that I read 3 Nephi the 17th chapter. That is when I discovered the Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, my Savior, my personal Savior; and I believe that is where I finally found the description of the Savior as I thought him to be.
These chapters are neat because they help us know what it would be like and will be like when we encounter the Savior.
Hugh Nibley: 3 Nephi 17:1, is that the people, if they are going to comprehend what he has said, must ponder, must go home and think about the things that have been said and done. I think that’s an important instruction. Jesus instructs his people that that’s what he wants them to do with this text. It’s not just a matter of doing, listening, and remembering, but also pondering and internalizing and thinking about very deeply.
17:2 Do we feel weak? If so, then we are to follow His counsel about increasing our understanding through pondering, prayer, and mental preparation.
"Their difficulty in understanding the gathering seems to have had more to do with their lack of intellectual understanding of the doctrine itself. The gathering of Israel is a profound doctrine filled with implications about God, his plan, and our place in it. It reminds members of the kingdom of God that they are a covenant people and implies that they will be saved only by keeping those covenants." (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 212)
Even as a resurrected God, He still obeys His Father. He is not just a commandment giver. He is a commandment keeper. There is no hypocrisy because he asks nothing of us that He doesn’t hold himself to. He did it in the premortal realm, his ministry and He does today.
He is responsive to the needs of the people he is speaking to. How can we be better at reading the needs of family, friends, students we speak to?
President Monson “There is not a problem to be solved that’s more important than a person to be loved.”
3 Ne 17:3 go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said
When we don’t understand something, why are we told to ask in the name of Christ?
Of all the recipes designed to increase our spiritual understanding, this must be the greatest. Directly from the Savior, we are given a three-step instruction: 1) ponder, 2) pray for understanding, and 3) prepare your minds for more. Oliver Cowdery is famous for failing to translate because he skipped steps 1 and 3, Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me (DC 9:7-8, italics added).
"An analogy might help. The scriptures are like a symphony. The problem with a symphony, if it can be called a problem, is that there is so much going on at the same time that an inexperienced listener feels bewildered, not knowing what to listen for, or how to make sense of everything. But the music lover knows what to do. He picks out a theme carried by the string section, compares it to a variation on that theme by the oboes, and hears the composer being playful or reflective or joyful. Unlike the novice, he hears and feels the effects of the details that give the symphony, in all its complexity, its power and impact." (Dennis and Sandra Packard, "Pondering the Word," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, p. 51)
President Hinkely: "'Ponder.' What do we mean by 'ponder'? Well, I think it simply means kind of quietly thinking things through. Ponder what you have read. Ponder your life. Are you worthy, are you living the commandments...?" (Church News, 01/06/96)
Before going to the temple, a mechanic cleans his hands by scrubbing dishes.
17:4 God is aware of all His children
17: 5 They wept in 5, He wept in 21
3 Ne 17:8 The Lord perceives their desires
He perceived that some wondered about the fulfillment of the Law of Moses (3 Ne 15:2), he perceived that they did not understand the words of Isaiah (v. 2), he perceived that they did not want him to go (v. 5), he perceived that they wanted to know what miracles he had performed in Jerusalem (v. 8), and he perceived that their faith was sufficient to be healed. Thus, there was a two-way communication. Jesus understood their thoughts and desires so completely, that vocalization was not needed. For the multitude, the whole experience must have been breathtaking.
17:5–9, Jesus then calls the people to bring any of the sick or afflicted that they might have so that Jesus can bless them. We have then the touching scene of Jesus blessing all of those in this multitude who had any affliction or handicap or any kind of illness. A comparable function, I suppose, is served in our own temples by the prayer roll, which is placed on the altar for any of the sick or afflicted or any people who need special blessings. It seems to me that Jesus turns to a similar function. It is interesting to me, although this is certainly not a part of any kind of ritual that would then be given by Jesus to the people, but they turn around and reciprocate to him with the washing of the feet—not with ordinary water, but they wash his feet in their tears because of the gratitude and the love that they have felt for him, having spent this day or whatever time it was with him.
We are children of a God who can do great things.
Jesus then turns to bless the parents and the children. The first thing Jesus does is to call the parents, and he blesses them. He turns to the parents and says, “Behold your little ones.” It seems to me—and again I just suggest this for your pondering—that Jesus is doing something more here than simply saying: look at your little kids—aren’t they cute? Aren’t they cute little guys? He’s saying “behold your little ones.” In some sense now I think they see their little ones, in a sense that they weren’t prior to the time this blessing was given.
How does Jesus Christ feel about children? How do we feel as a society about children? You don’t need to be a parent to nurture. Thought that I should pray for my children and the children I am called to serve, one by one.
“the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.” Of course, one of its purposes is that we might know the covenants and know that we are not cast off. That’s right on the title page, so perhaps we need to attend much more to the understanding of the covenant relationship that the Book of Mormon is trying to create between us and our Father in Heaven and Christ.
"All of this complex pattern of meaning comes together most dramatically in the physical act of stepping forward and kneeling before the Savior, the experience of literally coming unto Christ, of touching and being touched. That the physical and the spiritual are intertwined should come as no surprise to members of a church that places extraordinary emphasis on ordinances-those small occasions and gestures that allow all of us to participate in the great drama of salvation. To collapse the whole matter of our purpose in this life into one symbolic act would bring us an experience very close to that of the Nephites': 'And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears' (3 Nephi 17:10). Isn't this truly what it means to come unto Christ to be invited to come forth, and, because of the preparations of both the Savior and the saved, to be accepted, literally and completely, doing-acting out what the words themselves describe?" (Neal E. Lambert, Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 204)
17:11 it does teach that children need to learn the significant things of the kingdom.
"God's children share with all of us the divine right to spiritual enlightenment. ("Behold Your Little Ones," Ensign, Nov. 1992) Even people with limited understanding should be taught basic gospel truths.
Story: Teaching Doctrine and Covenants in Primary. Not wanting to take advantage of innocence by telling made up stories. Uncomfortable and praying about it. Watching Elder Holland speak to Harvard students. Starting out by saying. “We believe in angels”.
What are ways you have been able to connect with children? Ideas of ways we can share our love with children.
3 Ne 17:14 I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel
It is not too hard to imagine what the Savior may have been thinking about in his sorrow. As the multitude knelt down, perhaps the Savior had time to think about how small the group was. He who would have gathered them as a hen gathereth her chickens must have grieved at how many of that generation had been lost. Alternatively, he may have seen the wickedness which was to come. He later mourned, behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation form this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition (3 Ne 27:32).
3 Ne 17:20-21 my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept
When have you felt joy? What was it like? Remember how the best way you could describe the love you felt on mission where the only way to describe it was the feeling of Christmas
Elder Kearon: We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are members of the church of joy! And nowhere should our joy as a people be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy! Here we assemble with our ward and branch families to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, our deliverance from sin and death, and the Savior’s powerful grace! Here we come to experience the joy, refuge, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and belonging found through Jesus Christ!
Elder Godoy: When I was a student in dental school, the financial outlook of our local economy was not very encouraging. Inflation dramatically decreased the value of currency from one day to the next.
I remember the year when I was to enroll in surgery practices; I needed to have all the necessary surgical equipment before enrolling that semester. My parents saved the needed funds. But one night something dramatic happened. We went to buy the equipment, only to discover that the amount of money we had to buy all the equipment now was sufficient to buy only a pair of surgical tweezers—and nothing else. We returned home with empty hands and with heavy hearts at the thought of my losing a semester of college. Suddenly, however, my mother said, “Taylor, come with me; let’s go out.”
We went downtown where there were many places that buy and sell jewelry. When we arrived at one store, my mother took out of her purse a small blue velvet bag containing a beautiful gold bracelet with an inscription that read, “To my dear daughter from your father.” It was a bracelet that my grandfather had given her on one of her birthdays. Then, before my eyes, she sold it.
When she received the money, she told me, “If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that you are going to be a dentist. Go and buy all the equipment you need.” Now, can you imagine what kind of student I became from that moment on? I wanted to be the best and finish my studies soon because I knew the high cost of the sacrifice she was making.
3 Ne 17:24 angels...came down and encircled those little ones
"Can we imagine anything more lovely, more touching, and more glorious, than this scene must have been? Can we conceive the joy that must have filled the hearts of these Nephites as they beheld the angels of Heaven descending from the Courts of Glory and ministering to their little ones? How deep must have been their love for the Savior. Who had brought these blessings to them? How strong must have grown their faith in Him? We cannot recall a circumstance in recorded history that draws Earth nearer to Heaven than this, or that seems to bind the ties so strongly that unite the Powers of Eternity with the children of mortality." (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 7, p. 175)
In chapter 18 we turn then to point 45, where Jesus will give the people a new name. The new name that they are given is the name of Christ, which they take upon themselves by way of covenant…they covenant and witness that they will keep the commandments which he had given them this day. We usually think of the sacramental covenant only in connection with our baptismal covenants. But as I understand it, when we partake of the sacrament every Sunday, we renew whatever covenant we have ever made with God, and so it is the full range of covenant relationship that’s being renewed and enriched and represented by that.
3 Ne 18:1-11 The importance of the Sacrament
Jewish Traditional Betrothal (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/music/savior-of-the-world/historical-and-cultural-background?lang=eng)
The process of betrothal began when the prospective groom and his father or a close male relative came to the bride’s house to meet with her father and determine the conditions of the marriage contract. Once the terms of the marriage were agreed upon, the groom could formally “propose” to his prospective bride. He would present her with a ketubah, a beautifully decorated formal document that specified the marriage terms and stated his intent to consecrate himself to his bride-to-be. The groom then offered her a gift of value, a possession symbolic of his esteem for her and his willingness to sacrifice in her behalf. Often this gift was a gold ring because the circle symbolized eternity.
Then the groom made a ritual statement, such as the one found in Hosea 2:19–20, formally consecrating himself to his bride. The use of five virtues in this particular statement—“in righteous, in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies, . . . in faithfulness”—symbolizes God and invites Him into the covenant being made.
The groom then poured a cup of wine for the prospective bride. Because Jewish law stated that a woman could not be forced to marry a man distasteful to her, the bride was ultimately allowed to choose whether to accept or reject the groom’s proposal. If she drank the cup he offered, they were betrothed. The groom would formally accept his bride with another ritual statement, often “Thou art set apart (or consecrated) for me according to the law of Moses and Israel.” Interestingly, the same word for “set apart” was also used to describe a dedicated temple; the bride was considered a temple now set apart for her husband. From this point on, the bride would wear a veil over her hair in public to indicate her status as a betrothed or married woman.
Elder Christofferson said, God has covenanted with us, that He will sustain us, save us, and sanctify us through Jesus Christ.
Jeffrey R. Holland "...every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called 'the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church' (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:340).
Do we see it as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?
"With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to 'get over' so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance." (Conference Report, Oct. 1995, "This Do in Remembrance of Me")
3 Ne 18:7 if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you
One of the laws of heaven states that if we remember the Savior, we will be blessed with his Spirit. The importance of this promise cannot be overstated. The entire challenge of mortality, is that we live with a veil of forgetfulness, away from the presence of God. But as long as we enjoy his Spirit, we are redeemed from the Fall, for we are no longer cast out of his presence. We may bask in the peaceful assurance of redemption through his Spirit. Furthermore, we may be guided by this same Spirit as long as we retain the Lord in remembrance. Unfortunately, retaining him in remembrance can be a challenge because, spiritually speaking, our short-term memory is great, but our long-term memory suffers frequent lapses.
Remembering pre-earth life – possibly covenants
Sister Tanner: Not only are we remembering miracles and mercies in this life but also tender teaching from our premortal life. “Perhaps the special, evocative powers of scriptures are bound up with our flashes of memory from the premortal worlds or at least call forth our predispositions nurtured for so long there.” Elder Maxwell
Melvin J. Ballard
"We must come, however, to the sacrament table hungry. If we should repair to a banquet where the finest of earth's providing may be had, without hunger, without appetite, the food would not be tempting, nor do us any good. If we repair to the sacrament table, we must come hungering and thirsting after righteousness, for spiritual growth." ("The Sacramental Covenant," Improvement Era, October 1919, pp. 1025)
What does hunger feel like? How does this compare with spiritual hunger?
3 Ne 18:20 whatsoever ye shall ask...which is right...ye shall receive
There are a few promises in the Book of Mormon that are repeated over and over again. Apparently, we don't learn without repetition. This promise is a marvelous promise with grand and eternal implications too often taken for granted. It is taken for granted because the reader does not really believe what the Lord has promised. This is the famous tendency to believe in Christ but not to believe Christ, "The real question is 'Do we believe Christ?' It is one thing to believe in him and quite another to believe him (Robinson 8-12)." (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 178).
David E. Sorensen "Christ taught the Nephites that prayer is more than just a means to receive our Father in Heaven's generosity; rather, prayer itself is an act of faith as well as an act of righteousness...This is because the act of prayer itself can change and purify us, both individually and as a group. As our Bible Dictionary states, 'The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them' (p. 753). In other words, prayers bring our desires and the desires of our Father into harmony, thus bringing us both the blessing we are seeking and also the blessing of greater unity with the Father.
18:22 Elder M. Russell Ballard observed: Limiting or withholding our fellowship seems to me to be contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.... We might ask ourselves how the newcomers in our wards would be treated if we were the only ones they ever met. Every member of the Church should foster the attributes of warmth, sincerity, and love for the newcomers....
18:24 How do we hold up Christ in our lives? When people see us, do they see Him? How have you seen or felt His love in others?
Elder Holland, “Never let our faith be difficult to detect.
18:32 Elder Maxwell: “Real love is felt even when it is poorly expressed.”
Elder Wada: As I was about to return to the room where the missionaries were waiting, I heard the voice of one of the missionaries. I heard my name. Instead of opening the door, I listened to the voice on the other side of the door. I was stunned. They were simply praying to Heavenly Father. The one saying the prayer was pleading to God that He would hear my prayer. Though his Japanese was not fluent, hearing his sincere prayer softened my heart. I wondered why they cared about me so much. Then I realized that their prayer in my behalf was a reflection of Heavenly Father and the Savior’s love for me. That love gave me hope, and afterward I did ask God in faith and with real intent. When I did, I felt a joyful and peaceful feeling that I was indeed a child of God and that I had a divine potential and destiny. The plan of salvation sank deep into my heart.“He butchered the queen’s English but we could have warmed our hands by the fire of his testimony” Elder Packer’s story of Swedish immigrant
2 Cor. 12:9
18: 34 Elder Duncun: Many years ago, while I was mending a fence, a small sliver of wood entered into my finger. I made a meager attempt to remove the sliver and thought I had done so, but apparently I had not. As time went on, skin grew over the sliver, creating a lump on my finger. It was annoying and sometimes painful.
Years later I decided to finally take action. All I did was simply apply ointment to the lump and cover it with a bandage. I repeated this process frequently. You cannot imagine my surprise when one day, as I removed the bandage, the sliver had emerged from my finger.
The ointment had softened the skin and created an escape for the very thing that had caused pain for so many years. Once the sliver was removed, the finger quickly healed, and to this day, there remains no evidence of any injury.
In a similar way, an unforgiving heart harbors so much needless pain. When we apply the healing ointment of the Savior’s Atonement, He will soften our heart and help us to change. He can heal the wounded soul (see Jacob 2:8).
Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter. Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families. Such a fracture developed between two heroes of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. Parley and Orson Pratt were brothers, early converts, and ordained Apostles. Each faced a trial of faith but came through with an unshakable testimony. Both sacrificed and contributed greatly for the cause of truth.
During the Nauvoo era, their relationship became strained, culminating in a heated, public confrontation in 1846. A deep and prolonged rift developed. Parley initially wrote to Orson to resolve the rift, but Orson did not reply. Parley gave up, feeling that correspondence was over forever, unless initiated by Orson.
Several years later, in March 1853, Orson learned about a project to publish a book on the descendants of William Pratt, the brothers’ earliest American ancestor. Orson began to weep “like a little child” as he glimpsed this treasure trove of family history. His heart melted, and he determined to repair the breach with his brother.
Orson wrote to Parley, “Now my dear brother, there are none among all the descendants of our Ancestor, Lieut[enant] William Pratt, who have so deep an interest in searching out his descendants as ourselves.” Orson was one of the first to understand that Latter-day Saints have an obligation to research and compile family histories so that we can perform vicarious ordinances for our ancestors. His letter continued: “We know that the God of our fathers has had a hand in all this. … I will beg pardon for having been so backward in writing to you. … I hope you will forgive me.” Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness.
When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well. For Orson and Parley, it turned their hearts to each other. Family history and temple work provided the power to heal that which needed healing.
18:36,38 What would it be like to be touched by the Savior as he speaks to you?
Touch, sight, sound and attention.
Sitting on Grandpa’s lap, feel the holes form the shrapnel. This represents love, sacrifice, courage. This was done for you. “Protect, protect, protect.”
3 Nephi 19:3 Prepare for success. What efforts do I make to be where the Savior is? What does it take to get dinner on the table? What does it take to be on time for church, temple? Clean clothes?
3 Ne 19:2 it was noised abroad among the people immediately
One can only imagine the excitement which must have spread like a tidal wave throughout the rest of society. This night must have been sleepless, filled with anticipation, exceeding anything they had ever experienced. Even those old enough to remember the night without darkness which heralded Christ's birth over thirty-three years earlier were to have a night of even greater anticipation. How could they sleep when they were soon to see the resurrected Lord?
Hugh Nibley
"Now there's a reminder of that exciting passage from Thycidides where it says 'that night, no man slept.' It's like Christmas Eve-the tremendous excitement about the great thing that's going to happen tomorrow. Everybody is rushing around spreading the news: The Lord has finally come. He's going to be here tomorrow...The multitude dispersed. Everybody went home, but they didn't go to bed...A great thing is going to happen; we're going to receive a great gift tomorrow. We're going to get the gospel tomorrow. They're all excited about it. As I said, not a man slept." (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, lecture 85, p. 355)
19:8 My book. What are the most important words a man can say? Oath, covenants? In His name? 16,17 Kneel- why kneel?
3 Ne 19:9 they did pray for that which they most desired...the Holy Ghost
A young father was literally sinking. He, his two children, and his father-in-law had gone for a walk around a lake. They were surrounded by majestic pine-covered mountains, and the sky was blue, filled with soft white clouds, emanating beauty and serenity. When the children grew hot and tired, the two men decided to put the children on their backs and swim the short distance across the lake.
It seemed easy—until the moment when the father began to feel pulled down, everything becoming so heavy. Water pushed him to the bottom of the lake, and a frantic feeling came over him. How was he going to keep afloat—and do so with his precious young daughter on his back?
His voice disappeared in the distance as he called out; his father-in-law was too far away to answer a desperate plea for help. He felt alone and helpless.
Can you imagine feeling as alone as he felt, unable to reach anything to hold on to and struggling in a desperate situation for your life and your child? Unfortunately, all of us experience some degree of this feeling when we are in situations where we desperately need to find help in order to survive and to save those we love.
Near panic, he realized that his water-saturated shoes were weighing him down. While working to stay afloat, he began to attempt to get his heavy shoes off his feet. But it was as if they were held on with suction. The laces were swollen with water, cinching the grip even tighter.
In what may have been his last moment of desperation, he managed to pry the shoes from his feet, and at last the shoes released their hold, quickly falling to the bottom of the lake. Free from the heavy weight that had been dragging him down, he immediately propelled himself and his daughter upward. He could now swim forward, moving toward safety on the other side of the lake.
At times we may all feel as if we are drowning. Life can be heavy. We live in “a noisy and busy world. … If we are not careful, the things of this world can [drown] out the things of the Spirit.”
How do we follow the example of this father and kick off some of the weight of the world we carry, so we can keep our children’s heads and our own worried minds above the water? How can we, as Paul counseled, “lay aside every weight”? How can we prepare our children for the day when they can no longer cling to us and our testimonies—when they are the ones swimming?
An answer comes when we recognize this divine source of strength. It is a source often underestimated, yet it can be used daily to lighten our load and guide our precious children. That source is the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost.
Jeffrey R. Holland "As Christ had not yet appeared to them for this second day (and because the Father and Son could not permanently be with them-or us-in a telestial world), the next best companionship came from that member of the Godhead who can be with mortals permanently-the Holy Ghost. In their ministry these newly called apostles could not always have the daily, physical presence of the Savior with them. Nevertheless, because they were to lead the Church of Jesus Christ in righteousness and be witnesses of his name throughout the Nephite world, they would surely need the prompting, the protection, the revelation, and the comfort of that One who is the spiritual extension and telestial representative of the Father and the Son.
"In our own time the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked wherein The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differed from other religions of the day. He replied that the distinction lay in 'the gift of the Holy Ghost' and that all other considerations 'were contained in that gift.' In light of these experiences-ancient or modern, Old World or New-perhaps all disciples of Christ, all members of his true Church, should pray for the influence and guidance of the Holy Ghost as that heavenly gift 'which they most desire.'" (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 278)
Bruce R. McConkie: "I suggest this as the goal which all men in this world should follow-Seek the Spirit: desire above all things in this life to be guided by the Holy Ghost." (BYU Speeches, September 29, 1964, p. 2)
Elder Parley P. Pratt answered this question when he described the extraordinary characteristics of this remarkable power:
'The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.' (Key to Theology, 1978, pp. 101-2)" (Especially for Missionaries, vol. 4, p. 2-3)
3 Nephi 19:19 As Paul stated, For there is...one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5).
'Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him-
Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.' (DC 45:3-5)
3 Ne 19:23 I pray unto thee for them... that we may be one
"From the Savior's language, we see clearly it is the Holy Ghost that provides such unity, a doctrinal point not so clearly communicated in the New Testament account." (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 280)
Joseph Smith stated, 'Unity is power' (History of the Church, 6:198), when speaking about stability in governments. Just so, unity adds power in the Church and in our families.
What keeps us from being united?
Standard Bearer
3 Ne 19:24 it was given unto them what they should pray
Neal A. Maxwell
"Our prayers will be better if they are in fact inspired prayers." (Men and Women of Christ, p. 98)
Elder Christofferson: The author recounted the following:
“When I was young, our little family lived in a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor. I slept on the couch in the living room. …
“My dad, a steelworker, left home very early for work each day. Every morning he would … tuck the covers around me and stop for a minute. I would be half-dreaming when I could sense my dad standing beside the couch, looking at me. As I slowly awoke, I became embarrassed to have him there. I tried to pretend I was still asleep. … I became aware that as he stood beside my bed he was praying with all his attention, energy, and focus—for me.
“Each morning my dad prayed for me. He prayed that I would have a good day, that I would be safe, that I would learn and prepare for the future. And since he could not be with me until evening, he prayed for the teachers and my friends that I would be with that day. …
“At first, I didn’t really understand what my dad was doing those mornings when he prayed for me. But as I got older, I came to sense his love and interest in me and everything I was doing. It is one of my favorite memories. It wasn’t until years later, after I was married, had children of my own, and would go into their rooms while they were asleep and pray for them that I understood completely how my father felt about me.”
Have you ever had what you should pray for be given to you? Example of Mary feeling like she should put my name on prayer roll at temple.
19:24-25, 30 Smile! What does this tell us about the disposition of our Savior?
3 Ne 19:25 they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus
Having just been surrounded by angels, filled with the Holy Ghost, and having just prayed again, the Twelve were transfigured such that their entire bodies exuded the brilliance of resurrected beings. Truman Madsen explains this process:"Artists have often depicted this recognition of light as divine beauty by the halo, the nimbus, and the golden circle above the head. But that is at best a token of the promise and the actuality. For 'whole bodies' are promised illumination, and the light not only hovers over but also surrounds and engulfs the entire personality until it is gloriously beautiful. It was, after all, every one of the multitude, and all of each of them, even the seams of their clothing, that became scintillant with white light in the presence of Christ during that 'ineffable outpouring of prayer,' as Elder James E. Talmage calls it, in the 3 Nephi narrative (see 3 Nephi 19:25). Modern men and women of God who have witnessed such radiance of soul say it is 'like a search light turned on within.' It is 'the same glorious spirit,' the Prophet once wrote, 'gives them the likeness of glory and bloom. ... No man can describe it to you-no man can write it.' (Teachings, p. 368 (Truman G. Madsen, The Radiant Light, p. 26-7)
“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible”
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19:27 Dr. Ulrich draws an analogy to how we heal physical cuts: the wound would be cleaned, then an ointment would be applied to aid in healing, and then a bandage is secured. The washing, anointing, and holy garments we receive in the initiatory ordinance offers a similar healing to our spiritual wounds.
“It’s hard to live in this world without getting cut and hurt spiritually or … emotionally, and symbolically sort of bleeding all over ourselves. Or other people get hurt and they bleed all over us because they don’t know what they’re doing either,” Dr. Ulrich says. “And so we come in [to the temple] prepared to be filled with the Spirit, to be washed and anointed as they would wash and anoint and clothe priests in the ancient temples of Israel.”
3 Ne 19:28 I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen
Querido Presidente: Brothers and sisters, as you can see, acting on these mental gymnastics of “what works for me” versus doing “what always pleases the Lord” is not a new trend that is unique to our day. It is an age-old mentality that has crossed the centuries and often blinds the wise-in-their-own-eyes and confuses and exhausts many of God’s children. This mentality is, in fact, an old trick of the adversary; it is a deceptive path that carefully leads God’s children away from the true and faithful covenant path. While personal circumstances such as genetics, geography, and physical and mental challenges do influence our journey, in things that truly matter, there is an inner space where we are free to choose whether or not we will decide to follow the pattern the Lord has prepared for our life. Truly, “He marked the path and led the way, and ev’ry point [defined]…. I pray that each of us, in our time and turn, will be able to declare, with covenant confidence, to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ that “what works for Thee, works for me.”
3 Ne 19:33 their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts
We put our hearts on the alter. When is a time my heart has been open?
President Harold B. Lee used those two words in this contrasting sense when he said: 'When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know that the Spirit of the Lord is working upon us' (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 92)." (Pure in Heart, Preface)
Attributes of Savior:
My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee Song
